FCFS vs. XLE

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

FCFS (FirstCash, Inc.) is a stock, while XLE (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF) is Energy Equities fund tracking the Energy Select Sector Index. Over the past 10 years, FCFS returned 16.95%/yr vs 9.47%/yr for XLE. At a 0.27 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

FCFS vs. XLE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FirstCash, Inc. (FCFS) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FCFS achieves a 36.33% return, which is significantly higher than XLE's 29.29% return. Over the past 10 years, FCFS has outperformed XLE with an annualized return of 16.95%, while XLE has yielded a comparatively lower 9.47% annualized return.

FCFS

• 1D: 0.53%
• 1M: -1.56%
• 6M: 28.56%
• YTD: 36.33%
• 1Y: 67.29%
• 3Y*: 32.81%
• 5Y*: 24.98%
• 10Y*: 16.95%

XLE

• 1D: 0.92%
• 1M: 3.74%
• 6M: 21.42%
• YTD: 29.29%
• 1Y: 36.53%
• 3Y*: 15.59%
• 5Y*: 22.95%
• 10Y*: 9.47%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

FCFS vs. XLE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FCFS FirstCash, Inc.	36.33%	55.68%	-3.20%	26.45%	18.03%	8.47%	-11.74%	12.72%	8.48%	45.56%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	29.29%	7.88%	5.56%	-0.63%	64.32%	53.28%	-32.67%	11.74%	-18.22%	-0.89%

Correlation

The correlation between FCFS and XLE is 0.01, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.01
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.14
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.17
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.27
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 22, 1998	0.27

Over the past year, the correlation between FCFS and XLE has dropped to 0.01 - well below their long-term average of 0.27, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

FCFS vs. XLE — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

FCFS

FCFS Risk / Return Rank: 93
FCFS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
FCFS Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
FCFS Omega Ratio Rank: 90
FCFS Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
FCFS Martin Ratio Rank: 97

XLE

XLE Risk / Return Rank: 59
XLE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
XLE Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
XLE Omega Ratio Rank: 57
XLE Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
XLE Martin Ratio Rank: 49

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

FCFS vs. XLE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FirstCash, Inc. (FCFS) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	FCFS	XLE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.23	1.75	+0.48
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.69	2.32	+0.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.29	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.73	2.45	+4.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.81	6.58	+14.23

FCFS vs. XLE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FCFS Sharpe Ratio is 2.23, which is comparable to the XLE Sharpe Ratio of 1.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FCFS and XLE, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

FCFS vs. XLE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FCFS drawdown since its inception was -90.26%, which is greater than XLE's maximum drawdown of -71.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FCFS and XLE.

Drawdown Indicators

	FCFS	XLE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-90.26%	-71.26%	-19.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.05%	-14.98%	+4.93%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.38%	-20.14%	-3.24%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.70%	-26.04%	-9.66%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-50.16%	-66.81%	+16.65%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.96%	-8.20%	+1.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-24.19%	-17.95%	-6.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.24%	5.57%	-2.33%

Volatility

FCFS vs. XLE - Volatility Comparison

FirstCash, Inc. (FCFS) has a higher volatility of 8.32% compared to State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) at 6.10%. This indicates that FCFS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FCFS	XLE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.32%	6.10%	+2.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.42%	16.65%	+4.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	30.28%	20.96%	+9.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.72%	25.87%	+3.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	30.64%	29.58%	+1.06%

Dividends

FCFS vs. XLE - Dividend Comparison

FCFS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.78%, less than XLE's 2.66% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FCFS FirstCash, Inc.	0.78%	1.00%	1.41%	1.25%	1.45%	1.56%	1.54%	1.27%	1.26%	1.14%	1.20%	0.00%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.66%	3.28%	3.36%	3.55%	3.68%	4.21%	5.62%	6.72%	3.54%	3.03%	2.26%	3.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FCFS and XLE in my portfolio?

FCFS and XLE have a correlation of 0.01, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FCFS or XLE?

FCFS has higher volatility (8.32%) compared to XLE (6.10%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FCFS dropped -90.26% vs XLE's -71.26%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FCFS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.23 vs 1.75), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.